Saddle fit system and method

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a bicycle saddle fit system comprises first and second supports, a substrate coupled to the first and second supports, and a measurement gauge coupled to the substrate. The first and second supports are each configured to receive sit bones of an adult human. At least one of the first and second supports is selectively moveable to locate the sit bones and to define a sit bone width. The substrate is configured to facilitate the selective movability of the at least one of the first and second supports. The measurement gauge is configured to visually indicate the sit bone width. In another embodiment, a method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a human rider comprises locating the first and second sit bones of the rider, reading a sit bone width from the measurement gauge, and assessing a saddle characteristic based on the rider&#39;s sit-bone width.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/145,270, filed Jun. 3, 2005, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatus and methods forfitting a rider with a saddle, such as a bicycle saddle.

2. Description of the Related Art

For many years bicycle saddles have been designed with a convex uppersurface on which the rider sits. These “traditional” bicycle saddlescause numbness in both male and female riders, resulting from pressureon the perineal area. In more extreme cases, a male rider can experiencea decrease in blood flow in the pudendal arteries as a result of thispressure, which can lead to impotence.

To remedy this problem, saddle manufacturers have introduced a varietyof saddles having a central groove and/or cutout which minimizes thepressure on the perineal area of the rider. These saddles havesignificantly improved rider comfort while reducing male riders' risk ofcycling-related impotence.

Notwithstanding these recent improvements, the development of bicyclesaddle ergonomics continues, as further attempts are made to improve thefitting of a saddle to a rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a bicycle saddle fit system comprises an impressionpad of sufficient size to span the sit bones of an adult human, and ameasurement gauge fixed to and extending along the impression pad. Themeasurement gauge is usable to measure the distance between sit-boneimpressions made in the impression pad by a person previously seated onthe impression pad.

In another embodiment, a bicycle saddle fitting tool comprises asit-bone impression region, and a width gauge fixed to the sit-boneimpression region. The width gauge extends along the impression regionto facilitate measurement of the distance between sit-bone impressionsmade in the region.

In another embodiment, a method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a humanrider comprises measuring a sit-bone width of the rider, determining apreferred riding posture of the rider, and assessing a saddlecharacteristic suitable for the rider based on both the rider's sit-bonewidth and the rider's preferred riding posture.

Certain objects and advantages of the invention are described herein. Ofcourse, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects oradvantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodimentof the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a mannerthat achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages astaught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantagesas may be taught or suggested herein.

All of the embodiments summarized above are intended to be within thescope of the invention herein disclosed. However, despite the foregoingdiscussion of certain embodiments, only the appended claims (and not thepresent summary) are intended to define the invention. The summarizedembodiments, and other embodiments of the present invention, will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments having reference to theattached figures, the invention not being limited to any particularembodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a saddle fitting tool.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the fitting tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fitting tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the fitting tool of FIG. 1, as situated ona tabletop for use.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the fitting tool of FIG. 1, in use tomeasure a sit bone width of a user.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the fitting tool of FIG. 1, depicting themeasurement of sit-bone impressions made in an impression pad of thefitting tool.

FIG. 7 is a chart depicting the use of sit bone width and preferredrider posture to fit a saddle to a user.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one embodiment of a group of saddles for usewith the fitting tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one of the saddles of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the saddle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the saddle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the saddle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the fitting tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 depict one embodiment of a saddle fitting tool 200. The saddlefitting tool 100 is usable to fit a saddle, preferably a bicycle saddle,to a human rider by measuring the distance between the ischialtuberosities (or “sit bones”) of the rider's pelvis.

The depicted embodiment of the fitting tool 200 generally comprises animpression pad 210 which is affixed to and overlies a substrate layer220. The substrate layer 220 preferably includes an exposed portion 222which extends laterally beyond the perimeter of the impression pad 210.A measurement gauge 230 is located on the exposed portion 222 of thesubstrate layer 220, and extends along the impression pad 210.(Alternatively, the measurement gauge may be located on a separatedevice or ruler which is used in combination with the impression pad210.)

The impression pad 210 preferably comprises a layer of shape-memorymaterial such as foam, foam rubber, memory foam, or alternativelycardboard or clay. More generally, the impression pad 210 can compriseany material that is sufficiently compressible to form, at leasttemporarily, impressions of the sit bones of an adult or juvenile humanrecently seated on the impression pad. Where the impression pad 210 isformed from a material which forms such impressions only temporarily,the material preferably has sufficient shape memory to “hold” theimpressions long enough to permit the measurement of a distance betweenthe impressions as further discussed below. Such an impression pad 210can therefore be configured to hold the impressions for at least 2seconds, at least 5 seconds, or at least 10 seconds in variousembodiments.

The material of the impression pad 210 can be selected to form sit boneimpressions via plastic or elastic deformation. Advantageously, amaterial that forms sit-bone impressions only temporarily facilitatesrepeated measurements with the same impression pad, which in turnpermits a user to take multiple measurements of sit-bone width andaverage the measurements for improved accuracy. The impression pad 210can therefore be configured to hold the impressions for less than about1 minute, or less than about 30 seconds, or less than about 10 seconds,in various embodiments.

The impression pad 210 is preferably sufficiently large to span thesit-bone width of a large adult human pelvis. Alternatively, a smallerimpression pad 210 may be employed, for example in a fitting tool 200intended for use only with children. The size of the impression pad 210is preferably selected to include additional area beyond the largestsit-bone width that the pad 210 is intended to accommodate. In thedepicted embodiment, the impression pad 210 is a layer of memory foamabout 280 mm wide with a maximum depth of about 100 mm and a thicknessof about 10 mm. Of course, these are only preferred dimensions and theymay be varied as is appropriate. In various embodiments, the width ofthe impression pad 210 can be about 150-350 mm, about 160-320 mm, orabout 180-280 mm.

The perimeter 212 of the impression pad 210 can have any suitable shape;however, in the depicted embodiment the perimeter 212 has a shapeapproximating that of an hourglass, defining first and second lobes 214a, 214 b and a thinner neck portion 216 therebetween. The depicted“hourglass” shape advantageously assists the user in centering theimpression pad before the user sits on it (discussed in further detailbelow).

The substrate layer 220 preferably comprises a relatively stiff layer ofcardboard; alternatively, other relatively stiff materials such asacrylic, plastics, aluminum, wood, etc. may be employed. As stillanother alternative, a relatively pliable material such as rubber may beused to construct the substrate layer 220.

As previously mentioned, the substrate layer 220 includes a measurementgauge 230 that extends along the impression pad 210. The depictedmeasurement gauge 230 has a central “zero” point 232 and left-side andright-side markers 234 a, 234 b, each of which count up from zero asthey proceed outwardly from either side of the zero point 232. Thisarrangement of the markers 234 a, 234 b and zero point 232 facilitateseasy and accurate measurement of sit-bone width as will be discussed infurther detail below. It is contemplated that other configurations ofthe measurement gauge 230 may be employed, such as one with markers thatcount up from a zero point located at one end of the gauge. Themeasurement gauge can be denominated with millimeters as shown, or withcentimeters, inches, or any other suitable measurement unit. Thedepicted markers 234 a, 234 b are oriented generally perpendicular tothe widthwise axis of the impression pad 210.

In still other embodiments, the measurement gauge 230 can be locatedpartially or wholly on the impression pad 210 itself. For example, themarkers 234 a, 234 b may extend from the substrate layer 220 onto theimpression pad 210. Where the measurement gauge 220 is located entirelyon the impression pad 210, the substrate layer 220 (or at least theexposed portion 222 thereof) may be omitted. In yet another embodiment,the measurement gauge 230 may be omitted from the tool 200, and aseparate measurement device may be used to determine the distancebetween impressions in the pad 210.

In the depicted embodiment, the substrate layer 220 forms a straightedge 224 which extends generally parallel to the widthwise axis of theimpression pad. The straight edge 224 is useful for alignment of thetool 200 on a tabletop or the like for making measurements, as will bedemonstrated below.

FIGS. 4-7 depict one embodiment of a method of fitting a saddle to arider. The various embodiments of fitting methods described herein maybe performed with any of the embodiments of the fitting tool 200described herein, or with any other suitable fitting tool.

In the depicted method the fitting tool 200 is first placed on a sturdy,level surface such as the tabletop 350 shown in FIG. 4. Of course, othersturdy surfaces may be employed, such as a stool, flat bench, staircase,floor, etc. The straight edge 224 can be used to align the fitting tool200 with a forward edge 352 of the tabletop 350, to orient the fittingtool 200 generally parallel to the shoulders of a user standing in frontof the tabletop.

The user then sits on the impression pad 210 such that both of theuser's sit bones press against the pad 210 (see FIG. 5). Preferably,where the tool employed includes the central zero point 232, the usersits on the impression pad 210 such that the sit bones press against thepad 210 on opposite sides of the zero point 232. As seen in FIG. 5, theuser preferably sits on the impression pad 210 in a slightlyforward-leaning posture, and/or with the knees slightly raised to createa knee-to-back angle of approximately 70 degrees. (Other knee-to-backangles may be employed by the user and/or indicated on the fitting tool200 as desired.) A foot support 360 can be provided to support the feetof the user and facilitate the raised-knee posture of FIG. 5.

The sit bones of the seated user create sit-bone impressions 370 a, 370b in the impression pad 210 (see FIG. 6). After the user has stood upfrom the impression pad 210, he or she can measure the distance betweenthe impressions 370 a, 370 b to determine his or her sit-bone width.Preferably the user measures the distance between the approximatecenters of the impressions to determine sit-bone width; alternativelythe user can measure the distance between the inner edges of theimpressions, the distance between the outer edges of the impressions, orthe distance between any suitable points of the impressions, todetermine sit-bone width.

Where the tool 200 includes the measurement gauge 230 of the type shownin FIG. 6, the user's sit-bone width can be determined quickly andeasily as follows. By using the left-side markers 234 a, the userdetermines the distance (as measured along the widthwise axis of theimpression pad 210) between the center (or other appropriate point) ofthe left-side impression 370 a and the zero point 232. Due to thedepicted arrangement of the measurement gauge 230, the user can simplyread this “left-side distance” from the left-side marker(s) 234 a thatcorrespond most closely to the center of the left-side impression. Theprocess is then repeated with respect to the right-side impression 370b, to determine a right-side distance between the center (or otherappropriate point) of the right-side impression 370 b and the zero point232. The left-side distance and right-side distance are added to arriveat the sit-bone width of the user. In the example shown in FIG. 6, theposition of the impressions 370 a, 370 b relative to the zero point 232has resulted in a left-side distance of 60 mm and a right-side distanceof 70 mm, yielding a sit-bone width of 130 mm.

In one embodiment, the user's sit-bone width alone can be used to fit asaddle to the user, and/or otherwise assess a saddle characteristicsuitable for the user. However, in another embodiment a preferred ridingposture of the user can be used in addition to (or instead of) thesit-bone width, to fit a saddle to the user, and/or otherwise assess asaddle characteristic suitable for the user.

The preferred riding posture of the user, which is indicative of theposture that the rider prefers to assume when actually riding a bicycle,can be determined by selecting a riding posture from a group of severalpredetermined riding postures. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the usercan select a preferred riding posture from three predetermined ridingpostures: “aero” in which the rider's torso is bent far forward, as iscommon when a fast-moving road cyclist uses the “drop” portion of thehandlebars; at the other extreme, “upright” in which the rider's torsois bent only slightly forward, characteristic of a more leisurelycyclist using a relatively high-mounted handlebar; or a midrange posturebetween aero and upright. In other embodiments, more or fewerpredetermined riding postures can be provided for the user to choosefrom.

In the depicted embodiment, the combination of sit-bone width andpreferred riding posture is used to determine a saddle width which issuitable for the rider. For example, using the chart in FIG. 7 a riderwho has a sit bone width of 100-130 mm and prefers an “aero” ridingposture should use a saddle with a width of 143 mm.

More generally, the combinations of sit-bone width and preferred ridingposture (or the sit-bone width or preferred riding posture alone) can beused to select a saddle type which is appropriate for the rider, from agroup or range of saddle types. In the depicted embodiment, thecombination of sit-bone width and preferred riding posture is used toselect an appropriate saddle type from three available saddle types (130mm, 143 mm, 155 mm). One embodiment of a group 500 of saddle types 510,520, 530 is shown in FIG. 8. The depicted saddle types 510, 520, 530 areexamples of the 130 mm, 143 mm and 155 mm saddle types discussed herein.

The 130/143/155 mm type designators correspond to the overall widths ofthe depicted saddles. However, other saddle shape characteristics, bestseen in FIGS. 9-12, may be more relevant to the suitability of aparticular saddle to a particular combination of sit-bone width andpreferred riding posture. These saddle shape characteristics include(but are not limited to): (a) the flatness or concavity of the uppersurface 560; (b) the degree to which the upper surface 560 slopesdownward to the sides and/or front of the saddle, as indicated at 562,564, respectively; (c) the degree to which the saddle tapers laterallyoutward as it extends rearward (see FIG. 9); and/or (d) thefront-to-rear slope of the rearward upper surface 566. In the depictedembodiment, the following general trends are observed in theabove-listed characteristics as corresponding to increasing sit-bonewidth and/or more-upright preferred riding posture: in characteristic(a), increasing flatness (and decreasing concavity); in characteristic(b), steeper slopes with points of origin further from the longitudinalcenterline or rear of the saddle; in characteristic (c), a “sharper”outward taper; and in characteristic (d), a steeper slope.

Accordingly, the 130/143/155 mm type designators in the depictedembodiment can serve as proxies for these more relevant (but potentiallymore difficult to specify to a user) saddle shape characteristics. Sucha use of the saddle-type designators can be implemented by building ordesigning into the “130 mm” saddle the saddle shape characteristics mostsuitable for riders who have narrow sit-bone widths and prefer aero ormidrange riding postures per the chart in FIG. 7. Similarly, the “143mm” and “155 mm” saddles can be given the saddle shape characteristicswhich are most suitable for riders having the combinations of sit-bonewidth and preferred indicated in the chart as corresponding to thosesaddles.

The overall saddle widths used to identify the saddle types thus referto a saddle characteristic which is secondary in terms of saddle fit butwhich makes the selection of the appropriate saddle type easy andintuitive for the user, as increasing overall saddle widths correspondto increasing sit-bone width. To support saddle choice in this manner, arange of saddle types can be provided (such as, but not limited to thegroup 500 shown in FIG. 8). Preferably, the 130/143/155 mm typedesignators are printed or otherwise set forth, either permanently ortemporarily, on the saddles themselves and/or on the saddle packaging orother display items associated with the saddles.

Alternatively, other saddle type designators can be employed in place ofthe overall-width designators discussed above, e.g. “type 1/type 2/type3;” “small/medium/large;” etc. Whether the overall-width designators orother saddle type designators are used, the range of saddles provided(and the number of type designators used) can be fewer or greater thanthe three illustrated herein.

The chart depicted in FIG. 7 (or a variant thereof, prepared pursuant tothe alternatives disclosed above) can be provided to the user to consultin making a saddle selection. Alternatively, some other summary orlisting of saddle types appropriate for particular sit bonewidth-preferred riding posture combinations can be provided in lieu ofthe chart. The chart, summary, etc. preferably identifies theappropriate saddles by setting forth the same saddle type designators asare set forth on the saddles/packaging/etc. as discussed above.

The above-described chart, summary, etc. can be set forth on the fittingtool 200, e.g. on a reverse side thereof. Likewise, illustrationssimilar to FIGS. 4-6 can be set forth on the fitting tool 200, e.g. onthe reverse side thereof, along with instruction text to assist the userin making measurements.

FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment of the fitting tool 200. Theembodiment of FIG. 13 can be generally similar to any of the otherembodiments of the fitting tool 200 disclosed herein, except as furtherdescribed below. In addition, the fitting tool 200 of FIG. 13 can beused in practicing any of the methods disclosed herein for fitting asaddle to a user.

The fitting tool 200 of FIG. 13 includes first and second depressions orfitting cups 260, 262 which are employed in place of the impression pad210 discussed above. Preferably, the first fitting cup 260 is fixed andimmovable with respect to the substrate layer 220, while the secondfitting cup 262 is slidable longitudinally relative to the first cup260. Alternatively both of the cups 260, 262 can be made slidablerelative to the substrate layer 220. The cups 260, 262 depicted in FIG.13 have a circular configuration; however, other shapes may be employed,such as oval, square, etc. Preferably, the cups 260, 262 are formed froma relatively rigid material such as a plastic or acrylic.

To measure sit-bone width, a user first sits on the fitting tool 200 inthe manner discussed above, but with one sit bone centered or located inthe first (fixed) cup 260. The user then slides the second cup 262 untilit is positioned underneath the user's other sit bone, and sits on thetool 200 momentarily with one sit bone located in each of the cups 260,262, to confirm that the cups are properly centered and indicative ofthe user's true sit bone width.

The user's sit bone width can then be read from the measurement gauge230 located adjacent the cups 260, 262, based on the positions of thecups and their respective indicators 264, 266. In the measurementillustrated in FIG. 13, the user's sit bone width is 120 mm. Aftermeasurement, the user's sit bone width can be used alone, or inconjunction with other information as discussed above, to fit a saddleto the user.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular embodimentsdescribed above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of theclaims that follow.

1. A bicycle saddle fit system comprising: first and second supportseach being configured to receive sit bones of an adult human, at leastone of the first and second supports being selectively moveable tolocate the sit bones and to define a sit bone width; a substrate coupledto the first and second supports and being configured to facilitate theselective movability of the at least one of the first and secondsupports; and a measurement gauge coupled to the substrate and beingconfigured to visually indicate the sit bone width.
 2. The bicyclesaddle fit system of claim 1, wherein the first and second supportsinclude depressions configured to receive a respective sit bone.
 3. Thebicycle saddle fit system of claim 2, wherein the first and secondsupports are fitting cups.
 4. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 2,wherein the first and second supports are formed separately from thesubstrate.
 5. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second supports are each selectively moveable relative to thesubstrate.
 6. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one of the first and second supports is linearly slidable alongthe substrate.
 7. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 1, wherein thesubstrate is a substantially flat layer extending beyond a periphery ofeach of the first and second supports.
 8. The bicycle saddle fit systemof claim 1, wherein the measurement gauge extends along the substrate.9. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 8, wherein the measurementgauge comprises a scale that is coupled to the substrate.
 10. Thebicycle saddle fit system of claim 9, wherein the scale extends at leastintermediate the first and second supports to provide a visualindication of the sit bone width.
 11. A bicycle saddle fit systemcomprising: first and second supports each being configured to receive asit bone of an adult human, the first and second supports defining arelative spacing therebetween, the first support being configured toreceive a first sit bone with the second support being selectivelymoveable relative to the first support to adjust the relative spacing ofthe first and second supports in order to locate the sit bones and todefine a sit bone width; and a measurement gauge configured to measureand visually display the sit bone width based on the relative spacing ofthe first and second supports.
 12. The bicycle saddle fit system ofclaim 11, further comprising a substrate extending intermediate thefirst and second supports, the substrate being coupled to the first andsecond supports.
 13. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 12, whereinat least one of the first and second supports is moveable relative tothe substrate.
 14. The bicycle saddle fit system of claim 12, whereinthe measurement gauge extends along the substrate.
 15. The bicyclesaddle fit system of claim 12, wherein the measurement gauge is coupledto the substrate and comprises a scale.
 16. The bicycle saddle fitsystem of claim 15, wherein the scale extends intermediate the first andsecond supports to visually display the sit bone width.
 17. A bicyclesaddle fit system comprising: first and second fitting cups each beingconfigured to receive sit bones of an adult human, at least one of thefirst and second fitting cups being selectively moveable to locate thesit bones and to define a sit bone width; and a substrate coupled to thefirst and second fitting cups and being configured to facilitate theselective movability of the at least one of the first and fitting cups.18. A method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a human rider, said methodcomprising: setting a first sit bone of the rider onto a first supportof a fitting tool to locate the first sit bone; positioning a secondsupport of the fitting tool to underneath a second sit bone of therider; setting the second sit bone of the rider onto the second supportto locate the second sit bone; reading a sit bone width from ameasurement gauge of the tool; and assessing a saddle characteristicsuitable for the rider based on the rider's sit-bone width.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising determining a preferred ridingposture of the rider.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the assessingstep further includes assessing a saddle characteristic suitable for therider based on the rider's preferred riding posture.
 21. The method ofclaim 18, wherein assessing a saddle characteristic step furthercomprises determining a saddle width which is suitable for the rider.